Robert Mugabe resigns: How the “bloodless correction” played out

A quick summary of what happened in Zimbabwe in the days leading up to Zimbabwe's resignation.

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA – NOVEMBER 18, 2017. Zimbabwe Diaspora Vote Coalition gathered at the Union buildings On November 18, 2017 in Pretoria, South Africa. They wanted to hand over a memorandum to President Zuma so he can table the demands of Zimbabwe citizens in South Africa at the SADC meeting to be held this weekend in Botswana. (Photo by Gallo Images / Alet Pretorius)

In the coming days and weeks, there will be much to digest and analyse. The way forward needs to be plotted and how it got to this point will become clearer.

What we do know is how the last seven days unfolded.

14 November 2017

On Tuesday, armoured personnel carriers are seen on the outskirts of Harare, sparking speculation of a coup, just days after Gen Constantino Chiwenga warned that the army might need to step in the “stop the purge” in response to the firing of vice president Emmerson Mnangagwa on 6 November.

15 November 2017

Mugabe is placed under house arrest and the army announces the takeover of the state broadcaster. The army insists that it is not a coup and call it a “bloodless correction”, saying they are only targeting “criminals around him”.

South Africa says Mugabe has told its president, Jacob Zuma, by telephone that he is under house arrest but is “fine”.

Much of the ire centres around the positioning of the unpopular Grace Mugabe as a potential replacement for Mnangagwa and, eventually, Mugabe.

16 November 2017

Mugabe refuses to resign, despite high-level talks. Zuma travels to Harare for talks and sends a special envoy. No dice.

19 November 2017

Zanu-PF sacks Mugabe as leader and demands he resigns as head of state. It also expels his wife Grace. An announcement is made that Mugabe will address the nation. Many expect him to resign. He doesn’t. Instead, he gives a long and confusing speech, leaving many people dejected. Mugabe even says he will preside over his party’s congress in December.

20 November 2017

Mugabe is given a 12:00 deadline to resign or face impeachment. The deadline comes and goes and Mugabe stays.